Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has announced plans for the 2026 Igbo Day celebration, saying the event will provide an opportunity to strengthen unity and deepen the bond among Igbo people in Nigeria and the diaspora.
The two day celebration is scheduled to take place in Umuahia, Abia State, beginning on Monday, September 28, with a public lecture. The main celebration will follow on Tuesday, September 29, with delegates expected from the seven core states of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
Speaking to journalists at the Government House in Umuahia, the Policy Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Dr Ezechi Chukwu, said the event would promote unity while creating room for greater strategic engagement among Ndigbo.
He described Igbo Day as an opportunity for the people to reconnect with their shared identity and reflect on their past, present and future.
The theme for this year’s celebration is “Njiko Ka”, meaning “Togetherness is best”. Chukwu said the theme was deliberately chosen to highlight the importance of unity and collective purpose.
Chukwu, who spoke on behalf of the President General, Senator John Azuta Mbata, and the Global Executive Council, said the programme would open with a public lecture titled “Igbo Charter of Strategic Engagement for National Development”.
The lecture, scheduled for the Michael Okpara Auditorium in Umuahia, will be delivered by economist, banker and former presidential candidate, Professor Kingsley Moghalu.
According to Chukwu, the lecture will focus on the Igbo Charter of Strategic Engagement for National Development, a document designed to outline the aspirations, worldview and development priorities of Ndigbo.
He explained that the Charter was produced by a committee comprising more than 100 prominent Igbo professionals and stakeholders from the academic community, public service, traditional institutions, clergy, women and youth groups.
The document is expected to serve as a framework for engaging the wider Nigerian society and the international community on issues affecting the Igbo people and their development.
Chukwu added that Senator Mbata would deliver the welcome address and officially declare the 2026 Igbo Day celebration open.
The main celebration on September 29 will take place at the Michael Okpara Square Events Centre near the Nnenna Oti Bus Terminal in Umuahia.
Activities will include a wreath laying ceremony at the Cenotaph and an interdenominational church service before the celebration moves to the Michael Okpara Auditorium for the main festivities.
The grand finale will feature the President General’s State of the Union Address based on the theme “Njiko Ka”, alongside a traditional march past involving the seven Igbo states, goodwill messages, cultural performances and presentations by youth groups.
Ohanaeze chapters and affiliated organisations from across Nigeria, as well as chapters from the diaspora, are expected to participate in the event. Leaders from the clergy, academia, traditional institutions, women’s groups and youth organisations are also expected to attend.
Chukwu expressed appreciation to the Abia State Government and Governor Alex Otti for agreeing to host this year’s celebration.
The Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Emeka Sibeudu, said the event would also serve as a reminder of the identity, aspirations and responsibilities of Ndigbo towards Nigeria’s development.
“We await the D Day to tell the whole world who we are as the Igbo nation,” Sibeudu said, expressing hope that the celebration would further promote unity and a shared sense of purpose among the people.
The Abia State Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, also disclosed that the September 28 programme would include a tour of projects carried out by the state government.
He said the leadership of Ohanaeze would take part in the facility tour alongside journalists as part of activities marking the celebration.
